Economic Co-ordination Of Transport Essential

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28999, 14 September 1959, Page 13

Economic Co-ordination Of Transport Essential

(From Our Own Reporter)

TIMARU, September 13.

The Minister of Transport (Mr Mathison) at Timaru pn Saturday told a gathering of about 500 persons, assembled for the opening of the South Canterbury Centennial Transportation exhibition, that the necessity for economy would ensure that some day there would be more complete co-ordination of “apparently conflicting transport methods.”

“There is a role for shipping, motor transport, air services and railways, and the problem of fitting these interests to benefit the community is worlfl wide." the Minister said. The Minister, who tendered apologies from the Prime Minister (Mr Nash) and Minister of Railways (Mr Moohan), congratulated Timaru and South Canterbury on having reached its centenary. Referring to the interests which had contributed towards this achievement, the Minister said it was to the railways —and only to the railways—that credit could go for the actual development of South Canterbury. The productive capacity of South Canterbury and provinces in the South Island increased remarkably after the link between Christchurch and Dunedin had been forged, the Minister added. The Minister said he refused to believe that railways were a

“dying industry." There was no cheaper form of land transportation lor moving bulk freight and passengers, he said. Associated with the Minister on the dais in front of the exhibition building were the Member of Parliament for Timaru (Mr C. L. Carr), the Mayor of Timaru tMr R. E. White), the chairman of the Overseas Shipowners’ Committee (Mr J. H. Cook), the general Manager of the Union Steam Ship Company (Mr A. N. Leslie) representing the New Zealand Shipowners’ Federation, the deputy-chairman of the National Airways Corporation (Mr H. L. Worrail), the general manager. New Zealand Railways (Mr A. T. Gandell, and the chairman ot the South Canterbury Centennial Association’s executive (Mr A. L. Kirk). The official party and 45 passengers m period costume arrived at the temporary station m Ritchie street, alongside No. 1 wharf, and two veteran carriages drawn by the Railways Department’s oldest engine, the F class “Pevenl.”

Vintage Train “Peveril,” which picked up a postal van from the south bound express at Washdyke, was driven by Mr J. K. Newlands. The Minister of Transport was on the footplate. The travelling post office carried about 10,000 firstday covers, specially date-stamped with the R.T.P.O. stamp. Tht Strathallan street railway crossing was lined with spectators for the arrival of the vintage train. The coastal vessel. River City, was admirably dressed for the occasion, and house flags of various shipping companies were strung across the entrance to Fraser street The entrance to the exhibition building was flanked by a first class coach and the Matisa track recording car.

Children and adults swarmed into the cabs of engines, coaches and other outdoor rolling stock. The vintage train made trips for the public through the goods yard and back down No. 1 wharf on a triangular route. The Mayor, in extending a welcome to the Minister and other officials, said the exhibition was an outstanding display in South Canterbury’s history, and referred to the big part that transport had played over 100 yards in New Zealand’s settlement and in the progress of the country. Mr Carr referred to the recent death of Mr G. Sherriff, who had conceived the idea of the exhibition. An engine-driver, Mr Sherriff was killed during shunting operations at Pareora. Mr Gandell, representing 26.000 railwaymen and women, paid tribute to those who had set such fine traditions.

Overseas Ships “How much longer can this country afford to make such relatively little use of the ships that serve them, and which represent a capital outlay of many millions of pounds?” said the chairman of the Overseas Shipowners' Committee (Mr J. H. Cook) at the official opening, on Saturday, of south Canterbury’s air-sea-rail exhibition. He said that a ship, to be operated economically, should be able to employ a very much higher proportion of her time than she could in New Zealand at present, either by working cargo while in port or in steaming from port to port. “In New Zealand we are able to work barely one-third of the total number of hours in the week,” said Mr Cook. He had neither the desire, nor the intention to criticise waterside workers anywhere in New Zealand, and certainly not in Timaru, nor did he suggest that the existing labour force should be expected to work longer hours. However, Mr Cook added, the fact remained that much better use could be made of the ships, and a greater throughput obtained in the ports with existing facilities, if. for instance, shift work were introduced

“Something must be done to keep down the ever increasing cost spiral,” he continued. "The modern ship of the overseas lines costs about £lOOO a day for depreciation, insurance, crew wages, stores and port dues, and you can readily appreciate that many thousands of pounds a week are being thrown away, solely on account of enforced idleness,” Mr Cook added.

Ships Always Available While it was not the time or place to enlarge on this theme and all the many associated implications. it was one which he felt very strongly should be looked at yet again and without too much delay While sufficient ships would always be available to play their part in the development of New Zealand’s overseas trade, it was essential that there were adequate port facilities in the Dominion, and ancillary services were geared up to cope with the additional ships which would be required W be brought here, Mr Cook cons eluded.